One of the titles originally used for \Wicker Park"" was ""Obsessed."" However, that title was one that Wicker's star, Josh Hartnett, didn't like. He said, ""Obsessed"" sounds like such a made-for-TV movie of the week and was probably on Lifetime at one point."" This would be a valid reason to not use that title, except ""Wicker Park"" is actually a rather dull thriller that might not have even made it onto the Lifetime network.
""Wicker Park"" attempts to be a confusing Hitchcockian thriller. While it is indeed confusing, it never approaches the level of Hitchcock. At its most basic, this is the story of Matt (Josh Hartnett) and Lisa (Diane Kruger). Matt loved Lisa, but due to a misunderstanding, their love was abbreviated. Two years later Lisa has found her way back into Matt's life. However, a stranger who lives in Lisa's old apartment, wears her perfume, and is also named Lisa, blocks a reunion of the lovers.
There are many negative aspects of the movie, that if left on their own would have resulted in an adequate movie, but when everything is summed together, it results in a terrible movie.
The worst offender is the directing style of Paul McGuigan. He didn't know what type of movie he was making. He includes elements of thriller, elements of romance and elements of comedy. McGuigan tried getting the elements to blend together, but was not successful. Some movies can successfully blend between genres; however, the shifts between genres felt out of place and forced. If there was a scene with Hartnett, obviously that would be a thriller scene. However, if a scene with Matthew Lillard started up, then the movie was in comedy territory.
Not much better than the directing, the acting was also quite atrocious, but that's pretty much to be expected when Hartnett stars in a film. He is just not a very good actor. Sure, he starred in ""Black Hawk Down,"" but that was good despite Hartnett, not because of him. ""Wicker Park,"" is a standard Hartnett vehicle where he mainly just coasts through every scene. His acting consists of finding new and different ways to mope across the screen. There was actually one moment when he did show emotion: his character was happy so he smiled for a half second, and then went back into moping mode. Much like Hartnett, Matthew Lillard plays the same character he's played in nearly every movie he's been in. Both of these actors seem incapable of expanding, and McGuigan obviously wasn't able to lift them out of their slump. The only surprise that came from this mess is the appearance of the unknown Rose Byrne. Her character is through and through psychotic, but she was able to put a human face on the role. Even though she might be viewed as the villain, her acting makes hers the most sympathetic, yet tragic character.
The only thing that could save this mess of a movie would be a good script, and it almost has one. The first two acts are actually quite well done. A unique plot is set up, and the non-linear plot keeps the audience guessing. By the start of the third act, everything just falls apart. All of the questions are immediately answered and the audience has to idly sit and wait for the plot to predictably finish out.
""Wicker Park"" wrapped up shooting over a year ago, and MGM wisely held it back from being released then. The studio knew that the movie lacked good direction, acting or even a very good script, and held it until it could be dumped now, in the dog days of summer.
